Clean Eating Is The Best Diet For Myasthenia Gravis Patients

The Myasthenia Gravis Diet: Health, Remission and Weight Loss

Getting into remission and staying there can be challenging. The Myasthenia Gravis Diet is actually not a diet at all but an eating style that has helped get me back on track with my health and has kept me there while also allowing me to enjoy the perks of weight loss! I have experimented with these diet tips and guidelines myself, many which are talked about by Dr. Andrew Thomas Weil, a holistic health doctor. I have shown myself there is hope and now I want to share with you. With better knowledge and understanding of your health, you can be back to yourself once again. From here it is up to you.

Diet

Eating a clean diet that is full of fresh fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, nuts and seeds, wild fish and organic grass fed meats that are unprocessed and chemical-free, is one of the best possible things you can do to start healing your body and getting your health back again. I truly believe an adapted clean eating plan is the best diet for people like myself with Myasthenia Gravis. I say adapted, because for us, there are some foods that are better left out of our diet, such as milk and dairy.

The Clean Eating Approach

Nourishing your body with whole, natural foods is crucial for patients with Myasthenia Gravis. These include a wide variety of natural, unprocessed, chemical-free, hormone-free and preservative-free foods. Think fresh. As suggested by Dr. Weil, patients who suffer from Myasthenia Gravis (and all other autoimmune disorders) must eat a diet full of fresh organic fruits and vegetables while making sure to incorporate fruits and vegetables that are rich in potassium.

Did you know?

80% of our immune system is located in our stomach. If our immune system is in our stomach, we should be fueling our stomach and body with clean, healthy, chemical-free foods that promote healing while nourishing the body. When you eat whole, unprocessed foods, you can suddenly eat more while having more energy, feel better, look better and even an added bonus…you will weigh less.

To Get You Started

Here is the basic breakdown and my personal food list for the diet that has worked best in the longterm, for Myasthenia Gravis. This is the plan I’ve used to get myself where I am today!

BEVERAGES

EXTRAS

Foods to avoid:

all white stuff

refined sugar (not natural)

alcohol

fast food

fried food

junk food

soda

dairy/milk products

corn

grains

My Clean Eating Experience

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend reading here for more info on Myasthenia Gravis and diet. This is the first place (on the web) I ever came across that offered real guidance on a diet for Myasthenia Gravis. It gave me a starting point and helped me to gain strength again. I followed the dietary suggestions along with a few other adjustments (mentioned above) and here I am today. I am doing amazing and want to share this knowledge with others whom have MG too. Do not give up hope! I am here to share my experience and encourage you to push forward, learn all that you can and try. Things won’t change unless you make a change.

By eating this way and including green smoothies into my diet, I feel I have been able to nourish my body enough that I was able to stop IVIG therapy, slowly get off of (after consulting with my doctor of course) all immune suppressant medication and finally start to live a life outside of an ongoing hospital scenario. Although my journey towards better health for myself isn’t done by any means, I still wanted to share this with anyone else who may benefit from the idea that you can work to better your health and have it again if you decide you want it.

Don’t ever get discouraged, you are not alone

Changing the way you eat and feeling better doesn’t happen over night. It takes time to get to know the best healthy foods for your body, to learn which foods are secretly zapping you of energy, to git rid of them and then to stick with it. It took me about 5 years of trial and error to really figure this out which is exactly why I want so badly to share what I have learned with anyone else diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. I want to share anything and everything I’ve learned throughout my years of living with MG so you can hopefully get the health of your body back on track (or stop it from spiraling out of control) much sooner than I did.

If you have any other questions, simply want to connect or learn more on how to help yourself, you can always reach out to me here. Whatever level of health you are currently at, please know that your body is designed to feel and work even better. My journey of living with MG has not been an easy one but it is proof that you have power to make a change in the direction of your health, but it is up to you to decide when. If you want to feel better and function better than you currently are, then you must start and take some action. Remember, nothing will change if nothing changes.

27 thoughts on “Clean Eating Is The Best Diet For Myasthenia Gravis Patients”

I was diagnosed at 14 and am now 33. I have had my ups and downs but 2 yrs ago i had a major stress in my life and ever since then ive been on a downward spiral. Ive tried all the medicines and nothings worked. I am currently on 15 mg of prednisone and refuse to increase. Its keeping me at bay but my speech has gotten so bad i stopped working. I stopped eating gluten, dairy, sugar, and red meat for 3 wks and felt exactly the same so i stopped. Any suggestions?

Hello Jeanne, Girl use up google, u will be surprise what you will find. You can Google M G D or people with M G D and read everything then pick out what applies to you. Just don’t let it all confuse you. Try with the words together or seperate words with a space. I am not sure what MGD is for but weather it is for myathenia gravis desease or meibormian gland dysfunction google will help you.
Good luck.

Hello Rose Marie Alcaide, I know exactly what you are going through and very sorry you are going through this. I was diagnose April 2013 with MG and am presently learning to live with it daily. I want to tell you do not give up, it is not an easy battle but it is also not the worst battle. I try not to sit in my weakness daily and think about myself and my challenge, it does no good for me.
Instead I choose to learn and know my limits, do my best with Gods help and take one day at a time. I visit YouTube site with people with MG and watch and listen to them, it helps to know you are not alone and how different the MG cases are.
I also when my eye allow me, do online research to learn more about MG, I am surprise at the different views and takes different experts has on MG. They say MG is called the snow flake disease and that no two persons symptoms are the exact same, I personally think that is why some specialist don’t know how or what to do with us, because in their pass experience with MG what you are experiencing does not add up and they seem to be at a lost. I don’t know if you had the experience of telling your neurologist what’s going on with you and they shut you down saying, it had nothing to do with MG, or that MG has no pain etc.
I also spend my time catching up with others expecially the sick ones, I listen to their challenges and limits and what they are getting through and living with daily. This can open your eyes to another level, will also prevent you from having another pity party Lol.
Don’t get down hearted and never forget no matter how bad our situation is there is always someone out there who is a lot worse than us. May God give you the courage you need to deal with this, rely on him and he will. God bless u. Your MG sister.
Also a nurse friend told me even before I was diagnosed, you know the period when all these symptoms are there and you are getting worst and falling and the ER treat you like you must be crazy, yes those times lol. Anyway she told my symptoms sound like something neurological and whatever it is stop eating anything that is processed, eat nothing that comes in a box, bag, bottle, can, they all go through processing, they have been refined, stripped, remade, have additives and preservatives. These are no good for your immune system, she also said to buy organic fruits and vegs if I can afford them to avoid the GMO foods. I did a research on GMO foods and was shock to find out the wide variety of foods tha are geomodically modified, back then I thought it was just corn, tomatoes, papaya. I was shocked.

Hello I have enjoyed reading all the posy. I have had mg just a short while that I am aware of…there is so much I need to learn. Can anyone tell me what they make smoothies puy of…I am having a difficult time putting a menu together for myself therefore days I don’t eat because of the cramping and other stuff my body does.

I am trying to do as much as possible to be as healthy as possible without having to consistently increase my medication. I have read about the healthy diet. My main question is I am allergic to coconut, sesame and other seeds, avocado, wild rice, long rice, ginger and all seafood. I cannot eat anything with whole wheat and I have to eat cheese because of osteoarthritis (can’t take the medications so I do natural). I can eat the white flour, bread and such. As I am reading the list it says NO can goods. Because of money that is all I can afford. So if I were to drain/clean the vegetables would that be beneficial? And since I am allergic to so much and I have other illnesses can I eat the white flours if in small doses and will that be beneficial? Or do you have any suggestions because even my doctor is at a loss with all my allergies? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You

hi i was diagnose of MG last 2011,,,i cannot work now due to my sickness last may 2014 i was rush to hospital and put in ICU for 10 days…right now im weak and my speech blurred and also my eyes drop and i want to give up my life,,,i felt so shame coz i cant talk well>>

I’m sorry to hear that you are currently going thru this. Please know that you are not alone. I have been in your position, ICU and all, in the past. The best advice I can give you is to truly try and relax…try to not put extra stress on yourself to be better now. I know you want to and it can be stressful and scary wondering when you will be/feel better but let me tell you that this shall pass and you will feel better. BUT in the meantime take it easy and nourish yourself.

I realized that putting pressure on myself and being embarrassed of how my health was doing when it wasn’t good, actually made my health worse! It is easier said than done, I know. But I wish I would have known this tip when I was feeling so desperate to feel better. So, follow your doctors orders and give yourself some compassion and take this reassurance that you will get thru this. Self-love can do wonders. Rest and close your eyes (if you wear glasses or contacts give your eves a break from them – something I learned when my eyes are feeling a bit weak and overworked).

Stress has a huge affect on the whole body so do what you can to reduce your current stress levels the best you can.

Listen to some guided meditation music – that always helps me feel calm – you can search online for some. Open a window to breathe fresh air (the outdoors/nature/fresh air is so important to feeling calm and healthy). Have a close friend or family be near/visit or someone who is understanding and kind.

No need to feel ashamed at all. Nourish yourself with healthy foods and rest. One last tip, if you can, ask your doctor to check your iron and vitamin D levels…low levels of either can cause you to feel excess fatigue. If they are low, getting your levels up may help you feel less fatigued/weak. I only know this because I found out I had very low levels of both and bringing them up seemed to help me. And remember, you’re not alone. Hang in there.
Much love to you xx

My husband has MG in his right eye. Mestinon and prednisone have helped him. I feed him healthy food. His iron and vitamin d levels were low. He had an iron infusion and that helped a lot. Nutrition is important. Staying as stress free is helpful too. He served three tours in Vietnam and was exposed to agent orange all that time…of course the VA does not recognize MG in their list of covered ilnesses. Our neurologist believes that MG can be related to chemical exposure. In my research I have learned a lot…google is the best. Hair dye and such are chemicals so try to go natural with your hair and consider mouth wash, toothpaste, etc. I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and am very chemical sensitive. Just think about all the chemicals and dyes in our food source and personal care products and avoid them as much as possible. Also, in our opinion a personal relationship with God and His son Jesus is extremely important. One teacher we like is Andrew Wommack. He has a wonderful web site that is encouraging and helpful on our journey with Him. http://www.awmi.net Love!

Hi there! One important tip I have for you if you are trying to gain weight is to try and increase your healthy fat intake! Eat plenty of Coconut oil, olive oil, almond butter, avocado, nuts and seeds! All of those things are still healthy and unprocessed (just make sure to buy natural almond butter (just read the label on the back – natural almond butter will only contain almonds and salt). Coconut oil is great too…it’s an anti-viral, anti-fungal, and very healthy for the immune system ! A tablespoon can easily be added into hot drinks, smoothies and used to cook veggies and it’s a great substitute for butter. This should really help you gain a little. Much love to you xx

I am so happy that I found this website!!! I have had MG for 11yrs. I was really young when I was diagnosed, It has been a long, long journey. At one point I quit eating red meat, pork, and chicken and I felt great but I was still eating processed foods. I was able to workout but I wasn’t 100%. Now that I’ve read your information I’m thinking It was the other things I was still eating…..Cut to today I have relapsed and its pretty bad. Its really hard to get my IVIG because I’m a hard stick (unable to find a vein). I’ve been thinking of doing holistic treatment, so I’m going to start with this list you have provided I’m going to over haul my kitchen. I’m very grateful to you for this. Do you have any advice for my coffee addiction (lol) I don’t want to give it up, I have to have my one cup a day is that ok?

I’m just as happy and thankful to be able to share my journey with you! I was also diagnosed at a very young age (17) and have been thru some very rough times…a nd like you, I am an almost impossible stick! Looking back now, I see that every rough time or relapse in health has taught me something greater that I can use towards having and maintaining my health and happiness…so DON’T GIVE UP! Every ‘setback’ is a lesson waiting to be seen and hopefully understood :) I have learned the hard way how much we all need balance in life. We all need a healthy diet, healthy mind (love and compassion for yourself), and happy soul for our body to be and feel nourished. Remember to not be hard on yourself and simply learn as you go. Take time to do something which you find joy in every day (it can be anything as long as it makes you feel happiness), eat a healthy diet and try to cut your coffee back to every other day and replace the missed days with green tea instead! Coffee will dehydrate you and it can zap the iron stores in the body leading to lower than normal iron levels (specially if you’re not eating red meat) which can over time lead to anemia. I will share some info about low iron and anemia in a future post!

I hope this gives you a little reminder to keep trying and be open to learning! You are not alone.
Much love xx

I have IBS and was told years ago I also had mg and just now in the process of actual testing now as I have become extremely worse. It’s so hard knowing what to do, I refuse to take all the meds out there but find diets from the extreme of Paleo to raw vegan, both of which I can’t do, I love some meat. This sounds more reasonable and makes sense and I’m definitely going to start. I’ve already been doing smoothies each morning and love them. Actually raised my blood pressure the healthy way without all the salt I was told to take. It is a relief to find guidance along this path in life.

Chanced upon this site today. Infact, it is after many years that i gathered courage today to do a google on MG. The site is really helpful. Infact, I just started having spinach and all other fruit juices+garlic+ginger juice in the mornings. Should continue the same.
I am from India. My name is Pallavi and have had MG for 7 years now. I have had 2 thymoma episodes and 2 major surgeries. I lost my voice and that was bizarre because I was a Radio Jock!!! And a good one at that!
Glad to have read this. Great that u wrote this!!!
Strength be with us!
Literally!

I have had so many different people (medical) say to eat this, take this, avoid this and then the other would say to eat, avoid, do, and don’t do that is totally opposite. I am at a loss. This website has come the closest of anything I have found to answer my many unanswered questions. Thank you for working so hard and sharing this info with others. I have had MG for several years and I know food is a biggy with MG, but I have been pulled in so many different directions, I just as soon quit the whole thing. This, however, has given me an incentive to begin again.

Hi!! my name is Hope i am from Mexico an i have MG since i was 17 now i am 20 and i just love your site i really think that im going to try this because i reallly love live and if this diet is what it takes to be alright im going for it also im going to start doing excersise THANKS so much !!!

I appreciate what you are putting out there, I just don’t think I could do it. I have had MG for over 15 years, diagnosed for over 12. I am lucky I’ve not had to go the IVIG, plasmapheresis, or immunosuppressive route. I lead my life to the best of my abilities. I’ve tried implementing something like this, and I got as far as cutting out alcohol. As I only drink one per day tops, this wasn’t difficult, nor has it made a difference. I have too many health issues to give up things that make me happy, even if they are bad for me. Life is just too short not to eat well.

Hi guys! I’ve had mg for like 6 yrs and been seriously struggling. Until about a month ago I’ve had no idea what to do about it until this website gave me some hope :) and sparked an idea to do some research. I started also started to experiment with all the weird things in the grocery store (I live in East Asia now btw) and found this amazing little herb?! Their called CORDYCEPS. I don’t know what it is but it’s suppose to work wonders! I also found a mg Chinese medicine treatment center! And in their list of what the treatment is they listed these little guy! Maybe it can help you guys like its helping me! I hope you can find it in the USA fresh! Btw a bunch of marathon runners started winning in the us and turned out it was due to a tonic made from it! Here’s a link to the hospital in china that list their treatment type!

I just shared your site in a Facebook group for alternative MG therapies/treatments and it was met with harsh criticism due to a lack of information about you (the author) or your sources. I tried to explain the source is personal experience, but they didn’t want to hear it. PLEASE post an “About the Author” section and address the question of sources. I am sad to see people potentially missing out on amazing information because of this issue.

On my goodness, where have you been?! I am three years into the exact same journey (since my diagnosis). I have reached extraordinarily similar conclusions to yours. I will check out the rest of your findings, but based on the information on this page, it would appear great minds think alike. I seriously could cry because you’re the very first person I have encountered doing anything even close to what I am (for MG).

Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time to post this information. I have been grappling with the idea of doing the same thing myself because I too have found no other information (until now) related to what I’m doing. There are some key differences between your plan and mine (as far as I can tell), but overall we seem to be doing remarkably similar things.

I will keep reading and checking back, so thank you again for such great information!